AN EGG-shaped sculpture at the top of Wycoller Park became the second Panopticon to be officially unveiled in 2006.

The Atom, by the Haworth Road car park, was attended by designer Peter Meacock.

The bronze coated, egg-shaped sculpture was the second in the Panopticon programme - overseen by Mid-Pennine Arts to bring public art to each East Lancashire borough.

It was designed to raise the profile of Wycoller and increase tourism.

Mid Pennine director Nick Hunt said: “This is a proud day for all those who have worked so hard to achieve a second East Lancashire Panopticon.

“By contrast with our first Panopticon in Blackburn, an urban context, Atom highlights one of the most beautiful rural settings in Lancashire.

“We hope it will encourage a wider public to discover Wycoller and from there to go on and explore the delights of the countryside.”

The opening of the sculpture was attended by fashion designer Wayne Hemingway and music mogul Tony Wilson.

It came days after Rossendale’s proposal for a flying saucer called Halo got the green light.

Work on Burnley’s Singing Ringing Tree, at Crown Point, was due to start in the coming months.